Photo: Matt Hawley/University of Pittsburgh.
Ashton Gordon wore a smile on her face when the final whistle blew. The fifth-year defender helped defeat her former side, Arkansas, to help the University of Pittsburgh Panthers clinch their spot in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. The Panthers defeated the Razorbacks, in Fayetteville, on Friday night with a 4-3 final. And, yes, as the score indicates, the match was a back-and-forth-affair.
Ellie Coffield was the hero for the Panthers, scoring the final and game-winning goal off a corner kick. The clock was left with only a minute and a half. The Razorbacks tried one more push, but it was a forgone attempt. Coffield’s first goal of the evening — also late in the second half — came off a rocket. As the saying goes, “Ellie Coffield only scores bangers.”
76’ | Absolute BANGER from @elliecoffield1 to tie things up 🔥
PITT – 3, ARK – 3
📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/drQC9GQuF5
— Pitt Women’s Soccer (@Pitt_WSOC) November 18, 2023
Her second goal, the game-winner, came off a header, as she stationed herself right in front of goal. Game, set, match, and the Panthers claimed victory.
88’ | @elliecoffield1 secures the lead for Pitt!
📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/hGfQ0lX12K
— Pitt Women’s Soccer (@Pitt_WSOC) November 18, 2023
As mentioned, the match was a back-and-forth affair, with the Panthers earning the first goal, courtesy of Amanda West. It was West’s 50th goal of her Panther career, and her 11th of the season to tie Sarah Schupanky and Samiah Phiri. However, the Razorbacks quickly equalized, with Bella Field finding the back of the net. Arkansas thought they were going into the half with a one-goal lead, thanks to a strike from Ainsley Erzen, but Keera Melenhorst scored on a nearly picture-perfect counter attack.
42’ | Panthers tie things up with @keeramelenhorst completing the goal from @landy_mertz and @amanda_westt assists!
PITT – 2, ARK – 2
📺 ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/TmdY3KudDv
— Pitt Women’s Soccer (@Pitt_WSOC) November 18, 2023
Coming out of the halftime break, both sides were feeling each other out once again. However, in the 69th minute, Bea Franklin found herself alone on a corner kick and put the ball past Panthers goalkeeper Ellie Breech. However, her name-sake Coffield scored two goals in quick succession — her first coming in the 77th minute and the game-winner happening in the 89th minute.
Before the game even began, there was plenty of motivation for the Panthers to beat Arkansas. Of course, the NCAA Tournament is survive and advance, win and move on. However, as Chloe Minas stated before the match kicked off, the team wanted to win for Gordon, who transferred from Arkansas to Pittsburgh in 2021.
YES, we want to advance… that’s a GIVEN. But we also want to play with everything we have for @ashtonkgordon. I’m SO grateful Ashton transferred from Arkansas because I wouldn’t have met a best friend, role model and amazing human. @ashtonkgordon, we’re winning today, for you. https://t.co/FBZRJgalg1
— Chloe Minas (@chloe_min4) November 17, 2023
Ahead of the match, Gordon told Pittsburgh Soccer Now that she is approaching the match against her former team as another regular contest. “It definitely sparked something,” Gordon said, moment’s after the Ohio State victory last Saturday. “I have a ton of respect for Arkansas and the coaches and players there. But I am very excited to play that game.”
Now Gordon, Coffield and the Panthers will advance to the Sweet 16, with a trip to Tennessee on the docket. Memphis took down Notre Dame, 3-2, for a major upset. Memphis is ranked at No. 6 in the bracket, while Pitt is seeded at No. 7, meaning they will go on the road. The Panthers will face off with Memphis on Sunday, November 19, at 7 p.m. ET.
HAIL TO PITT 🔥
(7) @Pitt_WSOC defeats (2) Arkansas, 4-3, to advance to the round of 16!#NCAASoccer pic.twitter.com/8WXlD6LowV
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) November 18, 2023
